Games To Watch: Week No. 6

# 8 Kentucky versus #11 South Carolina
Thursday @ 7:30 PM ET on ESPN
How unusual. Not too long ago this was a matchup between two teams at best in the middle of the conference. Thursday it'll be No. 8 versus No. 11. And it has SEC East ramifications. Kentucky is off to a superb start, offing Louisville and Arkansas. They lead the SEC in scoring thanks to Wildcat QB Andre Woodson who is so good that he's garnered praise from everyone, even Steve Spurrier. But Woodson could have trouble against the Gamecocks' secondary, which is ranked No. 1 in the country in pass defense. Plus, with Chris Smelley taking snaps South Carolina has some new swagger on offense. If that isn't enough, Spurrier has never lost to Kentucky, once demolishing the Wildcats 73-7 while at Florida. But that was long before Andre Woodson, and this isn't that same Kentucky team.
Picks—Randall: South Carolina Erick: South Carolina Chris: Kentucky

# 13 West Virginia versus Syracuse
Saturday 12:00 PM ET on GamePlan
Syracuse surprised Louisville. I’d bet the Orange hope to catch West Virginia licking its wounds after last week’s game. Pat White is questionable for the game. But that probably won’t pose much of a threat to the Mountaineers. Although he came up short, Jarrett Brown looked very effective when he relieved White after that thigh injury last week. Syracuse hasn’t been 2-0 in the Big East in six years. The Mountaineers will be ready.
Picks—Randall: WV Erick: WV Chris: WV

#5 Wisconsin versus Illinois
Saturday @ 12:00 PM ET on ESPN
Ron Zook is a helluva recruiter. It's only a matter of time before he builds a winning team, if he hasn't already. The Illini come into this game with one close loss to Missouri and just whipped Penn State. The Badgers are ranked No. 5, but haven't won a Big Ten game convincingly. This might be closer than you think.
Picks—Randall: Illinois Erick: Illinois Chris: Wisconsin

#10 Oklahoma versus #19 Texas
Saturday @ 3:30 PM ET on ABC
Take away last week's screw-ups and this is a battle of unbeatens. Must see TV. But that’s kind of ruined. Colt McCoy hasn't been as prolific for Texas as he was last year. And Oklahoma looked more than prolific until they bumped into Colorado. The Longhorns struggled mightily against UCF a few weeks ago. While the Sooners annhilated a not-so-bad Miami team a few weeks ago. Even if the loses last week were fluke's, Oklahoma has the edge. But the Red River Shootout is no stranger to surprise outcomes, and in this rivalry game, don't expect a blowout. Want to know just how serious the tension is between these two? Click here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/09/11/oklahoma.texas.fight.ap/index.html
Picks—Randall: Oklahoma Erick: Oklahoma Chris: Oklahoma

#12 Georgia versus Tennessee
Saturday 3:30 PM ET on CBS
Let’s face it; this hasn’t exactly been a good year for the Vols. They’ve fallen victim to Cal and Florida. But those are pretty good teams. But so is Georgia. Still Tennessee is able to compete with Georgia, more so than they could with those two teams they’ve lost to. Georgia’s only respectable victory came against Alabama. They’ve lost to South Carolina, and the Vols can give the Dawgs just as much trouble as the Gamecocks did. It’ll be the same type of SEC thriller that we’re all used to, and the winner isn’t at all obvious on paper. But remember that Georgia coach Mark Richt is 23-3 on the road in the SEC.
Picks—Randall: Tennessee Erick: Georgia Chris: Georgia

NC State versus Florida State
Saturday 3:30 PM ET on ABC
The storyline of this game is whether Xavier Lee can maintain the poise and efficiency he displayed against Auburn. These teams average nearly the same amount of total yards per game, 347 for Florida State and 341 for NC State. Those 374 yards per game stat was computed with Drew Weatherford under center for the most part. And that’s why Lee is critical to how this game turns out. If he goes out there and plays just as well as Weatherford, it could be anyone’s game. But if turns it on like he did against Alabama, the Seminoles will roll.
Picks—Randall: Florida State Erick: Florida State Chris: Florida State

#15 Virginia Tech versus #22 Clemson
Saturday 6:00 PM ET on ESPN
Last week’s lost against GT hurt the Tigers. VT QB Tyrod Taylor is undefeated as the starter. But Taylor hasn’t played a team as dangerous as Clemson, who knocked of Florida State in their first game. Taylor’s inexperience could be VT’s biggest vulnerability against the Tigers. The Hokies come in with the momentum, however, having won the last four of this series.
Picks—Randall: Clemson Erick: Virginia Tech Chris: Clemson

#20 Cincinnati versus #21 Rutgers
Saturday 8:00 PM ET on ESPN2
At 5-0, the Bearcats are off to their best start in 53 years. While the Scarlet Knights are reeling, coming off a loss to Maryland. Cincinnati’s offense is potent, averaging nearly 500 yards per game. They score nearly 50 points per game. What this means is that Rutgers ought not to expect a similar 44-9 blowout like in 2005 when these two met in Piscataway. But this is a Rutgers squad but one week removed from the top ten. They aren’t looking to go belly up just yet.
Picks—Randall: Cincinnati Erick: Cincinnati Chris: Cincinnati

#9 Florida versus #1 LSU
Saturday @ 8:00 PM ET on CBS
Only one thing can avenge last weekend's loss for the Gators. That's a win against the No. 1 team in the nation. Few regular season games feel like national championship games. This is one that does. And the Gators come into it with a sour taste in their mouths. That's not good for LSU.
Picks—Randall: Florida Erick: LSU Chris: LSU

#4 Ohio State versus #23 Purdue
Saturday @ 8:00 PM ET on ABC
Quietly ranked at No. 4, either the nation is sleeping on Ohio State or it's only a matter of time before they get exposed. Nobody's talking about the Buckeyes, but their undefeated in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Purdue came away with the victory the last time these two squads played three years ago. Coming into this game, the Boilermakers average more total yards, more passing yards, and score more points per game.
Picks—Randall: Purdue Erick: Ohio State Chris: Purdue

#25 Nebraska versus #17 Missouri
Saturday 9:15 PM ET on ESPN
Mizzou looks to get the edge in the Big 12 North. Nebraska looks to stop ‘em. Mizzou comes into the game ranked fifth in the nation in total yards per game, seventh in the nation passing yards per game, and twelfth in points scored. If they win, they’ll be an impressive 6-0. To fend off the Tigers Nebraska will have to adjust their defense to handle and stall that quick offense. Ranked 77th in the nation in total defense, Nebraska’s adjustment will have to be pretty substantial.
Picks—Randall: Missouri Erick: MissouriChris: Nebraska

Other Games to Watch: Oklahoma State-Texas A&M, Notre Dame-UCLA